International Synergies wins funding for waste pilot

Edie award winners, International Synergies, have won funding from the Department of Environment (DOE) to run a pilot programme to divert waste from landfill in Northern Ireland.


The pilot, named Rethink Waste Industrial Symbiosis (RWIS), will match organisations that produce waste with organisations that can put this waste to effective use as input materials.

It is expected that the project will bring cost savings for the participants while diverting waste from landfill. It will also generate business opportunities for small businesses and social enterprises in the area.

International Synergies director for Northern Ireland, Trevor Knipe, said: “This opportunity to deliver resource efficiency within the public and third sectors compliments the pioneering work we already lead across the UK and internationally.

“This has helped divert over 7.5m tonnes of waste from landfill and save over 6.7m tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.”

The funding comes from the DOE’s Rethink Waste fund, which aims to encourage better waste prevention, resource management and improved environmental quality both among the public and businesses.

Commenting on the funding, Mr Poots said: “I welcome this project which is a common sense approach to dealing with waste. This demonstrates how, when handled correctly, what is waste to some companies is a useful and profitable resource to others.

“It is particularly encouraging that International Synergies Ltd is working to develop partnership arrangements between local councils and the private sector which will reduce waste to landfill and save money in these challenging economic times.”

International Synergies won edie’s Carbon Reduction Award in November this year at edie’s Awards for Excellence.

Their Symbiosis Programme (NISP) remains the world’s only national industrial symbiosis programme and its methodology and approach is being replicated across the globe.

Alison Brown

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